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Copyright © 2007. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved. 1079-2082/04/0602-1242$06.00
Practice Reports |
Formation of a primary care pharmacist practice-based research network
LORI M. DICKERSON, PHARM.D., FCCP, BCPS, is Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. CONNIE. KRAUS, PHARM.D., is Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison. GRACE M. KUO, PHARM.D., M.P.h., is Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. CYNTHIA A. WEBER, PHARM.D., is Pharmacy Practice Specialist, Division of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City. ORALIAV. BAZALDUA, PHARM.D., is Associate Professor; and JOHN M. TOVAR, PHARM.D., is Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio. ANNE L. HUME, PHARM.D., is Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Providence, and Adjunct Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Brown University, Providence. TIMOTHY J. IVES, PHARM.D., M.P.h., is Associate Professor, Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. JOHN G. GUMS, PHARM.D., is Professor, Departments of Pharmacy Practice and Family Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville. BARRY L. CARTER, PHARM.D., is Professor, Division of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, Department of Family Medicine, University of Iowa.
Address correspondence to Dr. Dickerson at the Trident-Medical University of South Carolina Family Medicine Residency Program, 9298 Medical Plaza Drive, Charleston, SC 29406 (macfarll{at}musc.edu).
Methods. A targeted sample of faculty pharmacist investigators practicing in primary care settings were selected for participation in this PBRN based on several factors, including past research activities, their interest in soliciting additional clinics within their state to participate in a research network, the potential for regional collaboration, geographic location, and the patient population served. A baseline survey to characterize the PBRN was distributed to members of the PBRN in June 2006. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results. A total of 81 pharmacists in 48 practice sites were recruited to join the PBRN. Most practice sites were located within family medicine residency programs, and the majority were affiliated with a community hospital or health system. Half of participating practices had 300–599 ambulatory care visits per week. Pharmacists in the PBRN spent their time performing direct patient management and had collaborative practice agreements with physicians. Patient revenue was used to cover pharmacist salaries in about one fifth of the practice sites. Pharmacists in the PBRN reported participation in diverse educational activities, such as point-of-care resident education and curbside consultation in the clinic hallways or their office.
Conclusion. Eighty-one pharmacists from 48 primary care practice sites in 11 states were recruited to join a PBRN. These pharmacists provided descriptive data regarding their practice site, characteristics of patients served, and clinical services provided as a first step in collaborative research efforts.
Index terms: Clinical pharmacy; Data collection; Networks; Pharmaceutical services; Pharmacists; Primary care; Professional relations; Research
Purpose. The results of a survey conducted to characterize participating practice sites, patient populations, and collaborative physician–pharmacist services provided through an emerging practice-based research network (PBRN) in the primary care setting are presented.
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